Srinagar, Nov 8: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has recalled how her family celebrated Diwali with Kashmiri food and sweet rice, saying the tradition continues to this day.
In a video shared on X on Sunday, Sonia is seen reminiscing about Diwali celebrations at 1, Safdarjung Road, the former residence of her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She is accompanied by her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and granddaughter, Miraya Vadra.
Recalling the family’s festive food traditions, Sonia said, “And then, on festivals, we always used to have Kashmiri food and that sweet rice, like that, which we still make, by the way.”
She also recalled how the family would light diyas around the garden, pond, veranda, rooftop and pathways, beginning the celebrations by lighting the first diya near a Ganesh idol.
“In those days, we didn’t have those little lights everywhere, but we had diyas everywhere,” she said, describing the decorations as “very pretty”.
The conversation also touched upon childhood memories of buying firecrackers from Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. Priyanka recalled how her father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, would take the children to buy crackers.
Sonia said she particularly enjoyed phuljharis (sparklers), while recalling how people would go “berserk” with firecrackers during the festivities.
She also remembered the clear blue skies and pleasant weather during Diwali in those years, saying such skies were rarely seen now.
Sharing the video on X, Sonia Gandhi wrote:
“Revisiting my early memories of celebrating Diwali – the traditions, the festivities and the little moments that made it so specia. Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali”
